Big Changes on the Horizon

About nine years ago Andrea and I took our first big financial plunge as a newly married couple, we bought a house. As of today the house that was supposed to be a starter home for a max of 5 years has gone on the market. I know they say home is where the heart is and that is with Andrea and my boys. With that said our current place which we have made home has created many wonderful memories and given us a warm dry place to rest our heads. We built our marriage here, we brought our boys home here, had our first pets here, etc. With the help of family and friends we took a run down ranch and turned it into something pretty nice in my opinion. Yes Heather, the realtor called your wall magic "designer paint" ;) . Thank you house on 97th, we hope you treat your next owners as well as you have treated us.

We know its probably not the best time to sell a house but we also know its a very good time to buy a house. Home prices have dropped and the interest rates are at all time lows. Given our situation where we are move-up buyers we have less to loose. MSNBC actually just published an article that explains it nicely.

Spring Sunshine and Success!

Sunshine.... warm, radiating sunshine!  We have been very blessed to be experiencing summer-like spring weather.  A VERY welcome change from the usual wet weather we most often experience this time of year.

This morning I had brunch with a friend in Portland... I returned to find all 3 boys outside enjoying every minute.  Gage was doing some yard work, Ryan was running around doing whatever struck his imagination, and Evan was enjoying his swing.  As I came out to join them, Ryan was already excitedly telling me about his day.  The most exciting part he had to show me... he learned to ride his tricycle!!  Success!!  Gage had made a "start" and "finish" line with chalk on our concrete patio, and Ryan would race from one side to the other and them back again... pedaling as fast as his little legs would go.  Quite a contrast from last year when Ryan didn't have much interest in learning to pedal.  But that has changed.  He is "bigger" now, as he likes to tell me.

After all the boys had gone into the house, Ryan and Evan napping... I was laying in the lawn soaking up some Vitamin D while talking on the phone with my folks.  While laying there I noticed two Chickadees pecking at a dead area on our oak tree, making a potential future home.  I found it mesmerizing... one would peck for a while, then fly to a nearby branch for a break while the other one took over.  Such teamwork and dedication... all to find and make a suitable nesting area.  Ahhhh.... spring!!  

Amazing Brain

The human brain really is a fascinating organ, especially one that is still in the development stage.  I realized yesterday that I just don't appreciate it as much lately as it isn't often that I  really take the time to just stop... and watch the kids at play.  There is always something to be done, and even when I'm sitting quietly, I'm still doing something... whether it be checking e-mail, reading a magazine, making a phone call, playing "referee" between the kids, or making "to-do" lists.  Yesterday I took the time to just sit quietly and do nothing but watch, and was pretty amazed when I noticed a developmental step Evan has taken.  

Yesterday, Evan was playing with some blocks on a table.  He was traveling around the table to get to blocks on the other side when he found his path was blocked by a larger toy on the ground.  The toy has many colorful wooden beads that traverse around thick metal wires that twist and turn in different ways and directions.  Evan first tried, unsuccessfully, to go over the toy, but the wires were just too much to navigate with legs that were barely taller than the toy itself.  He tried getting as far as he could, and then just reaching for the block... a failed attempt.  He then looked at the toy very thoughtfully.... I could see him working this out in his head, visibly thinking about the obstacle.  He then grabbed the object, picked it up leaving one hand on the table to steady himself, and tossed the object aside.  I was amazed at this feat as, from what I can remember from the child development classes I'd taken, this is a "landmark" concept for children... to think past simply going over, or bowling through, an obstacle to get to what is on the other side.  This thought process is not something we're born with, but rather something we have to learn at a relatively early age.  

I did a little cheer inside my head... "WOW...Way to go EVAN!!" and continued to watch both boys play, coming to the realization that I need to take the time to do that more often.  How many of these moments have already passed and I've missed them?

Pirates of the Living Room

I could not resist sharing this little story....

 

On Wednesday, the boys were playing while I was doing dishes.  I kept hearing Ryan refer to Evan as "Captain Evan".... sometimes followed by "AAArrrrghhhhh Matey!"  I wandered into the living room to find this scene:

Ryan informed me that they were playing "pirates".  The bean bag was their ship and they were looking for treasure.  I'm not quite sure where Ryan got the idea as we've never really played "pirates" and (as far as I know) he hasn't been watching the 10 o'clock news.... so school or TV or a friend???  Regardless... it was a priceless moment!

Ryan Lately

Ryan is becoming a young man before my eyes.  Over the past few weeks I have felt so proud and pleased with who he is becoming... yet at the same time a bit sad that time is moving so quickly, and all those toddler days are completely over.

A couple of weeks ago we had a spurt of beautiful summer-like weather.  We were outside as much as possible to take full advantage and Ryan seemed to pick up where we left off last summer.  On one particular day, sporting only a pair of shorts, Ryan first lay in the grass, just absorbing the sun and welcoming the warm air.  He then quickly moved on to play with some of his favorite outdoor toys (baseball set & tricycle), after which he decided to play on his playground equipment.  Last summer, Ryan was a bit intimidated by the slide.  He would start off on his bottom in a sitting position, but then quickly flip to his belly to feel more in control.  We tried to encourage him to stay on his bottom and land on his feet without success.  On this first day back out onto the slide, he climbed up without hesitation and went all the way down on his bottom... and landed squarely on his feet!  He was very proud, as was I, at his accomplishment.  Over this past year, I've noticed that Ryan has needed and/or requested my help less and less with such activities.  He is becoming much more independent.

Just last week, Ryan and I were playing a video game.  After we were done, I turned off the TV and the game console, but forgot to turn off the receiver.  As I walked into the kitchen, I remembered and turned around to complete the job.  Ryan was standing nearby and promptly told me that he already turned it off.  I was a bit surprised at this because the rule in the house has generally been that he can turn it on/off at times as long as he has permission.  I reminded him of this, and he looked at me with a look generally more fitting of a teenager that seemed to say "dear woman....dear stupid woman".  He then informed me "Mom. I'm THREE".  I stood there a moment... partly because I wanted to laugh and knew I shouldn't, and partly because I just wasn't sure what to say to this.  The only thing I could muster was "and THAT is your reasoning?" to which he very promptly replied "um, YEah!"

He is still loving preschool... and I'm sure summer will be a bit of a transition for all of us.  I was looking at a picture of him on his first day, and he looks so much younger!  That little boy is becoming a little man.

Ryan on his first day of preschool - 2008

Happy Birthday Evan!

On Tuesday, March 24th Evan turned one (and his great-grandfather turned 81).  We had a small celebration on the actual day as we were vacationing in

 Sandpoint, Idaho with our friends Brian & Kristi, and their children Calvin & Ashlyn.  Evan had a small cake, and made a complete mess of everything with it... quite a contrast from Ryan's first birthday!  Ryan had to be prompted to put his messy hands in his hair (thanks Auntie Heather) and really wasn't too keen on being a mess.  Evan, on the other hand, dug right in.  Frosting and cake went flying as he clapped his hands with glee!  It took me longer to clean up the mess than it did for him to make it... and every minute was worth it!

We returned to Vancouver that weekend and had a bigger party for him on that Sunday.  There was a great turn-out of friends and family.  I remember sitting back and thinking about how parties have changed.  Used to be that a birthday party with our friends consisted of all young adults.... now there is a heard of kids running around outnumbering the adults.  Its really heartwarming to see all our friends who are now also great parents.  Evan didn't make nearly the mess with his cake this time, but still enjoyed every bit of cake and ice cream (brrrrrr).

SNAPSHOT.... Evan as a 1-year old:  

Evan isn't quite walking, but cruises around everything from couches, tables, walls... to moving objects and people.  With all of his "skills", he manages to get into just about everything and anything he desires.  On the rare chance he can't get what he wants (whether it be out of reach or simply a "no touch")... he will let everyone in the house know that he is not happy.  He is very good at voicing his opinions despite not really talking yet.  He is also a very determined boy and will keep trying to get what it is he is wanting.  He does say "mama" and "dada"... and we've heard him mimic other, more complex words... but those are not part of his repertoire.  He is very "talkative" in his own way, babbling and garbling almost constantly.  He will use American Sign Language to communicate some of his needs... if he wants to.  He currently can sign "eat", "drink", "more", "all done", and "milk".  Evan weighs just under 20 lbs. and is in the 50% for height and has 8 teeth... 6 that are pretty well through, and two that are just now breaking through.  Evan enjoys being outside and active.  He likes being part of the action... if not the life of the party.  He is a total ham when he sees a camera and can go from crying to a heart-melting smile in less than a minute if you snap off a shot or two.  I love getting the sloppy wet open-mouthed kisses from him on my cheek... often followed by his version of a hug.  He loves his family (as seen in his smile and the twinkle in his eye when a family member comes into the room) and loves playing with his brother.